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We learn how to formulate hypotheses, observe, comment, ask and reply to questions related to our scientific experiments.

Winogradksy columns

'In the field of observation, chance only favors the prepared mind' Pasteur 1854

Blog posts

Thursday, 1 June 2017

WINOGRADSKY COLUMN GROUP B3 UCA

A Winobransky Column, is an experiment which it can be used to create a microecosystem where we can distinguish between diferent types of bacteria, deppending on their way to obtein energy. For this, we can provide diferent nutrients that can be used by some of them to survive and transform this nutrients into energy and another substancies that can be used by other bacteria.

To make thes ecosystem posible we had taken around 30g of mud, and we mixed it with some nutrientes that we selected to provide the food for some types of bacteria that maybe are found on this mud. We added;

- 0.1g NaCl: to provide the survival of those bacteria that separate this salt into its individual ions. These bacteria are called halobacteria, and can be found in waters with high salt concentration. We suposed that as the mud we used comes from a bank, in Rio San Pedro, where, there is a mix of salt water and sweet water, maybe this type of bacteria is here.

- - 0.1g CaSO4: That can be used by sulfate-reducing bacteria in anaerobic respiration, reducing the (SO4)-2 to H2S. As we are going to close the column, we are going to provide the anaerobic respitartion, because the oxigen will be spent and no regenerated.

- 0.1g Na2HCO3: To provide a carbon source. Its breakdown produces CO2. As we know Carbon is one of the most important bioelement, because is the base of the structure of many metabolites,

After adding all these componentes we pour some water and sand till our tube (column), its 1 finger left till the tube's edge. Then we put a top on the tube and shake it to mix all the components inside it.

Now we will let it some days and weeks, on a window, this way will have sun light and let the live magic happen.

We built the column on March the 13th of 2017.

After a few weeks on April the 7th of 2017 we can see that, the most part of the tube's bottom is nearly black o dark green which means that we have anaerobic bacteria that use (SO4)-2 as a electron captcher reducing H2S.

Near the surfaces, we see its soft brown and green, and with many fibres. Also on the top we see some green water. It seems to be a presence of photosynthetic microorganisim.